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Academic Catalog
Department of Landscape Architecture

Since 1911 the Landscape Architecture program at SUNY-ESF has been educating practitioners and teachers, designers and planners, advocates and policy makers who have devoted careers to a viable, sustainable integration of natural and cultural communities.

The Department of Landscape Architecture offers three degree programs designed to educate students to contribute in varied ways to society and the wise use of land and landscape. Each provides a basis for students to establish career directions in the profession of landscape architecture and related fields. The bachelor and master of landscape architecture, and master of science degrees are offered. Qualified undergraduate students may apply for the combined B.L.A./M.S. fast-track option.

Students in the department are required to have a laptop computer with appropriate software. Guidelines are available from the Department of Landscape Architecture. Many classes also have required field trips to project sites, or to study built works. Course fees attached to such classes cover transportation. Course fees also cover supplies for final plots for class assignments.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture

The B.L.A. program is designed for those students desiring to enter the profession of landscape architecture either directly after completing the degree or after completing graduate school. This is a professional degree with an emphasis on the skills and knowledge required to qualify as a landscape architect.

Accreditation

The degree is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).

The B.L.A. degree is granted at the end of five years of study and requires the successful completion of 141 credit hours. Students are accepted into the lower-division landscape architecture program as freshmen or as sophomore transfers and into the upper-division program as junior transfers.

Lower Division Required Courses

Course Number Course Codes* Credits
APM 103 Applied College Algebra and Trigonometry G 3
EFB 101 General Biology I: Organismal Biology and Ecology G 3
EFB 102 General Biology I Laboratory G 1
ESF 200 Information Literacy   1
EWP 190 Writing and the Environment G 3
EWP 220 Public Presentation Skills   2 - 3
EWP 290 Research Writing and Humanities G 3
LSA 132 Orientation Seminar: Landscape Architecture   1
LSA 182 Drawing Studio G 3
LSA 206 Art, Culture and Landscape II G 3
LSA 220 Introduction to Landscape Architecture   3
LSA 226 Foundation Design Studio I   4
LSA 227 Foundation Design Studio II   4
LSA 300 Digital Methods and Graphics I   3
LSA 301 Digital Methods and Graphics II   3
LSA 305 History of Landscape Architecture I   3
LSA 311 Natural Processes in Design and Planning   3
LSA 333 Plants Materials   2

 

Electives

Course Codes* Credits
General Education Course: American History G 3
General Education Course: Social Sciences G 3
General Education Course: Other World Civilization G 3
Natural/Physical Science Elective   3

 

Upper Division Required Courses

Course Number Course Codes* Credits
EWP 407 Writing for Environmental & Science Professionals   3
LSA 306 History of Landscape Architecture II   3
LSA 312 Place/Culture/Design   3
LSA 321 Ecological Applications in Planning and Design   3
LSA 326 Landscape Architectural Design Studio I   5
LSA 327 Landscape Architectural Design Studio II   5
LSA 342 Landscape Architectural Construction Technology   4
LSA 343 Landscape Materials and Structures   3
LSA 422 Landscape Architectural Design Studio III   5
LSA 423 Landscape Architectural Design Studio IV   5
LSA 424 Preparation for Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio   1
LSA 425 Orientation for Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio   3
LSA 433 Planting Design and Practice   3
LSA 451 Comprehensive Land Planning   3
LSA 455 Professional Practice in Landscape Architecture   3
LSA 458 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Faculty Advisor Visit, Weekly Reports and Field Studies   4
LSA 459 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Design Journal and Project Notebook   4
LSA 460 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Thesis Project   7
LSA 461 Off-Campus Final Presentation Seminar   1
LSA 470 Thematic Landscape Design Studio   6
Free Electives 15

 

Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 150


B.L.A./M.S. Fast Track

This option is available to outstanding fourth-year bachelor of landscape architecture students and provides the opportunity to receive both the bachelor of landscape architecture and master of science degrees during a six-year period at the College. Students who apply must have a minimum 3.000 GPA and are accepted into the program during the fall semester of the fourth year of the bachelor of landscape architecture program. The transition between the bachelor of landscape architecture and master of science curriculum requirements begins in the fall of the fifth year. The B.L.A. degree is awarded on completion of all professional requirements and a minimum of 141 credit hours. The M.S. degree is awarded after the completion of 30 graduate credits and successful completion of a research thesis. Depending on the student’s needs and research interests, there are two options available for pursuing an off-campus semester or a field research component. The first option (option A) allows students to pursue the off-campus semester with their undergraduate peers. The second option (option B) links the off-campus semester to graduate field research for their theses.

Fast-Track Option A – Summer start

Fourth Year, Summer option only
Course Number Course Codes* Credits
LSA 458 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Faculty Advisor Visit, Weekly Reports and Field Studies   4
LSA 459 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Design Journal and Project Notebook   4
LSA 460 Off-Campus Design Thesis Studio: Thesis Project   7
 
Fifth Year (25-28 credits)
Course Number Course Codes* Credits
LSA 455 Professional Practice in Landscape Architecture   3
LSA 461 Off-Campus Final Presentation Seminar   1
LSA 470
OR
LSA 670
Thematic Landscape Design Studio

Thematic Landscape Design Studio



6

6
LSA 596 Special Topics in Landscape Architecture   1 - 3
LSA 640 Research Methods   3
LSA 697 Topics and Issues of Landscape Architecture   Audit
LSA 799 Capstone or Thesis Proposal Development   3
Directed Electives 6-9

B.L.A. program completed with a minimum of 141 credits earned

Sixth Year (12-24 credits)
Course Codes* Credits
LSA 899 Master's Thesis Research   1 - 12
Directed Electives 6-12

Students may register for LSA 899 Master’s Thesis Research as necessary for completion up to the time limit of the M.S. program. Minimum of 6 credits required.

B.L.A./M.S. fast-track program completed with a minimum of 171 credits hours of which a minimum of 30 credit hours must be graduate level courses.

Fast-Track Option B – Fall start

Fifth Year (24-27 credits)
Course Number Course Codes* Credits
LSA 455 Professional Practice in Landscape Architecture   3
LSA 470
OR
LSA 670
Thematic Landscape Design Studio

Thematic Landscape Design Studio



6

6
LSA 596 Special Topics in Landscape Architecture   1 - 3
LSA 625 Orientation for Off-Campus Experiential Studio   Audit
LSA 640 Research Methods   3
LSA 697 Topics and Issues of Landscape Architecture   Audit
Directed Electives 6-9
Fifth Year, Summer (6-12 credits)
Course Number Course Codes* Credits
LSA 760
OR
LSA 798
Off-Campus Experiential Studio

Research Problem



12

1 - 12

6 credits of LSA 798 may be taken to fulfill this requirement. LSA 760 or LSA 798 must be linked to thesis.

B.L.A. program completed with a minimum of 141 credits

Sixth Year (18-24 credits)
Course Number Course Codes* Credits
LSA 899 Master's Thesis Research   1 - 12
Graduate-level Directed Electives 6-12

Students may register for LSA 899 Master’s Thesis Research as necessary for completion up to the time limit of the M.S. program. Minimum of 6 credits required.

B.L.A./M.S. fast-track program completed with a minimum of 171 credits, of which a minimum of 30 credits must be graduate level courses.